Quick definitions from WordNet (break)▸ noun:an escape from jail ("The breakout was carefully planned")▸ noun:a sudden dash ("He made a break for the open door")▸ noun:an act of delaying or interrupting the continuity ("It was presented without commercial breaks")▸ noun:(tennis) a score consisting of winning a game when your opponent was serving ("He was up two breaks in the second set")▸ noun:the opening shot that scatters the balls in billiards or pool▸ noun:an unexpected piece of good luck ("He finally got his big break")▸ noun:the occurrence of breaking ("The break in the dam threatened the valley")▸ noun:any frame in which a bowler fails to make a strike or spare ("The break in the eighth frame cost him the match")▸ noun:the act of breaking something ("The breakage was unavoidable")▸ noun:some abrupt occurrence that interrupts ("There was a break in the action when a player was hurt")▸ noun:breaking of hard tissue such as bone ("The break seems to have been caused by a fall")▸ noun:a pause from doing something (as work) ("We took a 10-minute break")▸ noun:a personal or social separation (as between opposing factions) ("They hoped to avoid a break in relations")▸ noun:a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something▸ noun:(geology) a crack in the earth's crust resulting from the displacement of one side with respect to the other▸ verb:move away or escape suddenly ("Nobody can break out--this prison is high security")▸ verb:change directions suddenly▸ verb:invalidate by judicial action▸ verb:of the male voice in puberty ("His voice is breaking--he should no longer sing in the choir")▸ verb:render inoperable or ineffective▸ verb:interrupt a continued activity▸ verb:cause the failure or ruin of ("This play will either make or break the playwright")▸ verb:happen or take place ("Things have been breaking pretty well for us in the past few months")▸ verb:come forth or begin from a state of latency▸ verb:give up ("Break cigarette smoking")▸ verb:cause to give up a habit▸ verb:vary or interrupt a uniformity or continuity▸ verb:come to an end▸ verb:become separated into pieces or fragments▸ verb:destroy the integrity of; usually by force; cause to separate into pieces or fragments▸ verb:happen▸ verb:weaken or destroy in spirit or body▸ verb:prevent completion ("Break off the negociations")▸ verb:change suddenly from one tone quality or register to another▸ verb:come into being▸ verb:find the solution or key to ("Break the code")▸ verb:find a flaw in ("Break an alibi")▸ verb:undergo breaking▸ verb:interrupt the flow of current in ("Break a circuit")▸ verb:be released or become known; of news▸ verb:diminish or discontinue abruptly▸ verb:pierce or penetrate▸ verb:become punctured or penetrated▸ verb:break a piece from a whole ("Break a branch from a tree")▸ verb:go to pieces▸ verb:ruin completely▸ verb:fall sharply▸ verb:separate from a clinch, in boxing▸ verb:make the opening shot that scatters the balls▸ verb:destroy the completeness of a set of related items ("The book dealer would not break the set")▸ verb:exchange for smaller units of money ("I had to break a $100 bill just to buy the candy")▸ verb:force out or release suddenly and often violently something pent up ("Break into tears")▸ verb:be broken in ("If the new teacher won't break, we'll add some stress")▸ verb:curl over and fall apart in surf or foam, of waves▸ verb:emerge from the surface of a body of water▸ verb:scatter or part▸ verb:make a rupture in the ranks of the enemy or one's own by quitting or fleeing▸ verb:enter someone's property in an unauthorized manner, usually with the intent to steal or commit a violent act▸ verb:terminate ("Break a lucky streak")▸ verb:surpass in excellence ("Break a record")▸ verb:fracture a bone of▸ verb:make submissive, obedient, or useful ("The horse was tough to break")▸ verb:reduce to bankruptcy ("My daughter's fancy wedding is going to break me!")▸ verb:fail to agree with; be in violation of; as of rules or patterns▸ verb:become fractured; break or crack on the surface only▸ verb:cease an action temporarily ("Let's break for lunch")▸ verb:do a break dance ("Kids were break-dancing at the street corner")▸ verb:assign to a lower position; reduce in rank▸ verb:discontinue an association or relation; go different ways▸ verb:lessen in force or effect ("Break a fall")▸ verb:break down, literally or metaphorically▸ verb:act in disregard of laws and rules ("Break a law")▸ verb:stop operating or functioning▸ verb:make known to the public information that was previously known only to a few people or that was meant to be kept a secret
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